FANTASY FOOTBALL IN-SEASON FEATURES

This early injury report will provide in-depth injury information on key fantasy players that suffered injuries in the previous weekend's games. All player injuries will be tracked during the week via our Injury & Practice Reports which are published on Wednesdays through Fridays. Be sure you check out our Priority News often during the week as all breaking player news will be posted there.

QUARTERBACKS

Brett Favre, MIN – Concussion

Vikings’ QB Brett Favre, who is recovering from a concussion, has not been cleared for contact and he is doubtful for tonight’s game against the Eagles. Favre is apparently showing signs of improvement, but he has not practiced with the first-team offense since getting hurt and he recently failed a concussion test. According to reports the team does not plan on testing him again prior to tonight’s game so it looks like he will be inactive. Joe Webb has taken all the snaps with the first-team offense and team officials expect him to be the starter.

Matt Hasselbeck, SEA – Gluteal Muscle Strain

An MRI on QB Matt Hasselbeck’s injured lower back and hip revealed a gluteal muscle strain that will keep him out of practice this week and according to head coach Pete Carroll it will keep him out of the starting lineup in Week 17. Hasselbeck was injured at the end of his one-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. He reached for the left side of his lower back and hip as he crossed the goal line and he appeared to be some discomfort as he fell to the ground. He was eventually escorted off the field and he did not return. Carroll told reporters after the game that the injury was “unusual” and an MRI on Monday confirmed that he suffered a strain to one of his gluteal muscles. Carroll wasn’t prepared to rule Hasselbeck out this upcoming week but he said during his Monday press conference that he plans on starting Charlie Whitehurst in Week 17.

Jon Kitna, DAL – Strained Abdominal Muscle

Cowboys’ QB Jon Kitna suffered a stained left oblique during Sunday’s game against the Cardinals and his status for Week 17 is in question. Kitna was injured in the first half and he tried to play through the discomfort but he admitted that it was just too painful. As expected Kitna was sore on Monday and he told reporters that he couldn’t “do any athletic movements and things that require(d) any torque.” Stephen McGee, who replaced Kitna against the Cardinals, will take a majority of the snaps with the first-team offense this week and team officials expect him to start for the Cowboys in Week 17. Kitna will probably be inactive, so look for the team to sign a QB this week to serve as McGee’s backup.

Mark Sanchez, NYJ – Torn Glenoid Labrum

Jets’ QB Mark Sanchez, who is dealing with a torn glenoid labrum in his right (throwing) shoulder, will probably be limited in practice this week and his status for Week 17 is considered questionable. Sanchez played in Week 16 against the Bears and he appeared to be OK, but according to reports his shoulder was sore afterwards and he spent several minutes in the training room getting treatment. Head coach Rex Ryan told reporters in his post-game press conference that with the team clinching a playoff berth that he was strongly considering resting Sanchez against the Bills. He appeared to have a change of heart on Monday saying that there was a chance that Sanchez could play, but even if he is active he probably won’t play very much. The injury will likely have to be surgically repaired in the off-season so he won’t be 100% until after that happens. So don’t be surprised if Sanchez struggles during the playoffs.

RUNNING BACKS

Peyton Hillis, CLE – Bruised Ribs

According to reports Peyton Hillis bruised his ribs during Sunday’s loss to the Ravens, but head coach Eric Mangini expects him to be fine for Week 17. Hillis was injured when he was hit in the back by Ravens’ safety Ed Reed in the first quarter. He stayed in the game but he later admitted that he hurt his ribs on the play and that affected his performance for the remainder of the game. X-rays were reportedly negative, however he will still be limited in practice this week while he recovers. Baring a setback expect Hillis to start against the Steelers.

Ryan Matthews, SD – Sprained Ankle

Chargers’ RB Ryan Matthews, who has been dealing with a lingering ankle injury, aggravated his ankle in the third quarter on Sunday. But after spending a few minutes on the sideline he was able to return and finish the game. Matthews limped off the field after appearing to turn his ankle and he had his ankle retaped on the sideline. According to reports Matthews was seen with an ice bag wrapped on his foot. But team officials don’t believe that he made the injury worse and they expect him to be in the starting lineup in Week 17.

Darren McFadden, OAK – Sprained Ankle / Turf Toe

Raiders’ RB Darren McFadden was limited to just 11 carries on Sunday against the Colts and there were no early indicators as to why. But according to reports McFadden suffered a minor ankle sprain on a carry in the third quarter and he spent the remainder of the game on the sideline as a result. McFadden confirmed that he slightly rolled his ankle, however he indicated that the injury was an aggravation of an existing injury which doesn’t appear to be serious. Head coach Tom Cable told reporters that McFadden has been dealing with a turf toe problem, so unless Cable made a mistake it appears that he is dealing with two injuries. He’ll likely miss some practice time this week, but team officials are optimistic that he will be healthy enough to play in Week 17.

Knowshon Moreno, DEN – Bruised Ribs

Broncos’ RB Knowshon Moreno, who was limited in practice last week because of bruised ribs, aggravated the injury in the first half on Sunday and he spent the entire second half on the sideline. Moreno was hurt when he was hit hard at the end of a reception in the first quarter. He stayed in but he was reportedly in a lot of pain and he was removed from the game at halftime. Interim head coach Eric Studesville told reporters that Moreno could have returned in the second half, but he was kept on the sideline because Correll Buckhalter was doing a great job carrying the ball. Moreno will miss more practice time this week and there is a chance that he will be inactive for the final game of year since the Broncos have nothing to play for.

Mike Tolbert, RB, SD – Sprained Neck and Shoulder Contusion

Chargers’ head coach Norv Turner has already declared Mike Tolbert out for Week 17 because of injuries to his neck and shoulder that occurred during Sunday’s game against the Bengals. Tolbert took a shot to the head in the first quarter and he told the team trainers that were attending to him on the field that his neck was hurting. He did not lose consciousness and he had complete feeling and movement in his extremities, but he was secured to a spine board as a precaution and he was carted off the field. X-rays were negative and he passed a concussion test, but additional testing revealed that he sprained his neck and suffered a contusion to his shoulder. He was allowed to travel home with his teammates so the injury couldn’t have been serious. But he will not practice this week or play in Week 17.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Arrelious Benn, TB – Torn ACL

Bucs’ WR Arrelious Benn has been placed on IR and he will miss the remainder of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Sunday’s game against the Seahawks. Benn was hurt when the helmet of a tackling defender hit his knee at the end of a 16-yard reception in the second quarter. He immediately grabbed his knee and he appeared to be in a lot of pain. He was eventually helped off the field and escorted to the locker room where a preliminary examination revealed possible ligament damage. He did not return to the game and he was later seen leaving the stadium on crutches. Benn had an MRI on Monday morning and according to reports the testing revealed a torn ACL that will need to be surgically repaired as soon as the swelling in the joint is controlled. He’ll likely miss OTAs in 2011, but if the surgery and rehab go as planned he could be back as early as training camp.

Earl Bennett, CHI – Sprained Ankle

Bears’ WR Earl Bennett, who missed practice time last week because of a sprained ankle, aggravated the injury during Sunday’s game and his status for Week 17 is questionable. Bennett appeared to twist his ankle after making a catch in the second quarter and he limped off the field and into the locker room. According to reports he received treatment in the locker room at halftime and his ankle was retaped. Bennett returned to the field for the start of the third quarter but he was non-factor and he was held without a catch in the second half. Bennett won’t do much in practice this week and with the team already a lock for the playoffs don’t be surprised if the Bears decide to hold him out of their Week 17 game as a precaution.

Santonio Holmes, NYJ – Hip Soreness and Turf Toe

According to reports Jets’ WR Santonio Holmes has dealt with chronic injuries to his hip and toe for several weeks, and although the team has clinched a playoff spot head coach Rex Ryan indicated on Monday that Holmes would play in Week 17. Holmes is reportedly suffering from hip soreness and turf toe and he reportedly spends a lot of time before and after practices getting treatment. The injuries have affected his game preparation, however they don’t appear to be affecting his game time performance. Team officials believe that Holmes will play in the regular season finale, however even if he does don’t expect him to finish the game. With nothing left to play for look for Ryan to rest his starters as much as possible.

Calvin Johnson, DET – Sprained Ankle

Lions’ WR Calvin Johnson was limited in practice last week because of an ankle sprain and he was on and off the field on Sunday after aggravating the injury in the third quarter. Johnson appeared to twist his ankle when he tripped on the leg of a defender after an incomplete pass. Johnson said after the game that his ankle bothered him the entire game and that it became very tender after he reinjured it in the third quarter. He spent a lot of time on the sideline in the fourth quarter. Head coach Jim Schwartz has listed Johnson as “day to day” and said that he wants to see how he is doing later in the week before he updates his status for Week 17. Check with us on Wednesday or Thursday for an update.

Derrick Mason, BAL – Sprained Ankle

Ravens’ veteran WR Derrick Mason limped off the field in the fourth quarter on Sunday after aggravating a preexisting ankle injury and his status for Week 17 is questionable. According to reports Mason’s ankle sprain is considered minor and if he had to play he absolutely could. However since the Ravens have clinched a playoff spot there is a good chance that Mason will be limited in Week 17 or held out altogether so that he has a chance to rest and get ready for the post-season.

David Nelson, BUF – Undisclosed Rib Injury

Bills’ WR David Nelson, who left Sunday’s game with an undisclosed rib injury, will not play in the team’s Week 17 game. Nelson was hurt when he was crushed by Patriots’ LB Jerod Mayo as he tried to make a catch over the middle in the third quarter. He left the game in a lot of pain and he was unable to return. There are reports that suggest Nelson may have fractured at least one rib, however the Bills have not confirmed this and the nature of his injury remains a mystery. The injury is serious enough that head coach Chan Gailey does not expect him to play in the team’s regular season finale.

Brandon Stokley, SEA – Concussion

Seahawks’ WR Brandon Stokley, who has a history of concussions and head trauma, suffered what appeared to be another concussion on Sunday and team officials don’t expect him to play again this season. Stokley banged his head on turf after making a catch in the third quarter. He appeared to be shaken up after the play and it looked like the medical staff was testing him for a concussion on the sideline. The fact that he didn’t return to the game indicates that he probably failed the test. Stokley has been diagnosed with a concussion over 10 times in his NFL career. Don’t be surprised if this latest injury pushes him into retirement.

Roy Williams, DAL – Strained Groin

Cowboys’ WR Roy Williams missed the team’s Week 15 game with a strained groin and after aggravating the injury early on Saturday against the Cardinals he was held without a catch. Williams admitted that he had trouble making cuts, pushing off and creating separation and according to reports he complained of groin soreness after the game and on Sunday morning as well. Team officials don’t expect him to practice this week or play in Week 17 so keep him out of your lineups.

TIGHT ENDS

Anthony Fasano, MIA – Undisclosed Knee Injury

Dolphins’ TE Anthony Fasano left Sunday’s game in the third quarter with an undisclosed knee injury and did not return. Fasano limped off the field and he was seen limping on the sideline, but after being examined by the medical staff he was held out for the remainder of the game. He was scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday and while the results have not been made public his status for Week 17 is considered questionable.

Zach Miller, JAC – Concussion

Jaguars’ TE Zach Miller, who left Sunday’s game after taking a shot to the head in the first half, has been diagnosed with a concussion and his status for Week 17 is in doubt. Miller reportedly complained of a headache and dizziness after the game and he wore dark sunglasses while at the Jaguars’ practice facility on Monday because his eyes were oversensitive to the light (a symptom of post-concussion syndrome). He underwent neurological testing on Monday and he’s scheduled to undergo more testing today. But it doesn’t look like he will be cleared in time for the regular season finale.